RANZCR Rad Onc Anatomy study plan

Map the head and neck anatomy syllabus by listing every named structure (bones, foramina, cranial nerves, lymph node levels I-VII, salivary glands, fascial spaces) and locate each on at least two independent reference sources

Sketch from memory axial cross-sections at the level of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and supraglottis, labelling mucosa, submucosal spaces, and vessels

Trace the course of cranial nerves V, VII, IX, X, XI, and XII from brainstem to target organ and state the clinical deficit produced by injury at each segment

Correlate each head and neck lymph node level with its primary draining subsites and the typical radiotherapy target volumes used for each

Build a three-dimensional mental model of the skull base by identifying every foramen, its transmitted structures, and the tumours that spread through it

Describe the parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal, and masticator spaces with their boundaries and the direction of tumour spread along each

Label the thyroid, parathyroid, trachea, oesophagus, and recurrent laryngeal nerve relationships on sagittal and axial views relevant to central compartment radiotherapy

Explain the anatomical basis for dose constraints to the optic chiasm, brainstem, spinal cord, and temporal lobes in skull base and nasopharyngeal plans

Outline the thoracic skeleton, mediastinal compartments, and great vessel relationships used for lung and oesophageal contouring

Identify the bronchopulmonary segments on axial CT and state which segments fall within each lung lobe

Describe the lymph node stations of the mediastinum and hila using the standard nodal map, and assign each station a number and anatomical boundary

Trace the oesophagus through cervical, thoracic, and abdominal segments and list the adjacent structures that drive dose limits

Map the abdominal viscera, retroperitoneal spaces, and vasculature relevant to upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary radiotherapy

Describe the porta hepatis contents, hepatic segmental anatomy (Couinaud), and biliary tree course

Identify the kidneys, ureters, adrenals, pancreas, and duodenum with their fascial and peritoneal relationships on axial CT

Explain the lymphatic drainage pathways of stomach, pancreas, and liver and how they determine elective nodal volumes

Delineate the male pelvis: prostate zonal anatomy, seminal vesicles, neurovascular bundles, and membranous urethra relationships

Delineate the female pelvis: uterus, cervix, parametria, ovaries, and vaginal fornices with their fascial supports

Identify pelvic lymph node groups (obturator, internal and external iliac, common iliac, presacral) and their boundaries on axial CT

Describe rectal and anal canal anatomy including sphincter complex, mesorectum, and ischioanal fossa

Map the brachial and lumbosacral plexuses with root, trunk, division, and terminal branch levels and the deficits from lesion at each level

Describe spinal cord surface anatomy, the conus medullaris level, and the anatomical rationale for cord and cauda equina dose constraints

Identify the bony landmarks of the spine and pelvis used for vertebral level assignment in palliative and definitive radiotherapy

Outline upper and lower limb compartment anatomy relevant to sarcoma target volume design

Integrate cross-sectional anatomy into rapid structure recognition by working through 40 de-identified axial CT slices under time pressure

Correlate each major organ's anatomical boundaries with its published dose constraint and explain the anatomical reason for the constraint

Review every error logged in weeks 1 to 6 and re-test only the missed structures until recall is secure

Rehearse describing anatomical relationships aloud in the concise style expected in a viva examination

Consolidate the entire syllabus into a single spaced-repetition deck and clear all due cards daily

Complete two full timed mock examinations and compare scores against the week 7 baseline

Verbalise high-yield relationships (skull base, mediastinum, pelvis, plexuses) in recorded two-minute summaries and review them for accuracy

Finalise a one-page pre-exam summary of the structures most frequently missed across the plan